When I was six years old, I joined my first choir. I marched into choir rehearsal as a skinny little girl with a big mouth (that part hasn’t changed much) and belted out every tune with all my heart. If you have ever seen the opening scene of What’s Love Got to Do With It, then you have an idea of the level of enthusiasm I displayed on that evening. Thankfully, our Choir Director did not throw me out, but instead had me sit next to her at the piano and sing my part there for a while. At that moment I realized that 1) I must have been singing pretty loud for her to stop the rehearsal and 2)although I really loved sitting and singing with the choir, her seat seemed even better! From that point on, my love for choirs – singing in them and especially directing them – grew and continues to grow.

Working with children within and outside of the public school system as an adult, I truly loved making music with them. We made beautiful music. We studied well, we practiced hard, we put on performances of a lifetime – we had some really good times. In addition to that, I had the pleasure of working alongside some of the hardest working and most amazingly talented music educators ever born. People that created masterpieces with little rehearsal time, fluctuating membership and uncertain support from administrators, families and community. These people simply made it happen…every single time.

This year of my life I dedicate to that effort. I dedicate it to those unsung heroes whose undying passion drives them to fight for quality music education and the children that make it all worthwhile. I also dedicate this year to the future of music education and youth ensembles in America. And I dedicate it to my former and future students – from those who showed up in rehearsal because they wanted to try something new, to those who have stated that they too want to be a choir director. This year I will study the art of creating music for social change – through the lens of a program that exists to do just that.

I am in Boston because of a program called “El Sistema”. To some it is a social movement, to others it is a music education program. It is primarily Venezuela’s nationwide system of youth orchestras and choirs, which has grown from 11 children in a parking garage in 1975 to serving over one million children throughout the nation. El Sistema is a wonder to music educators worldwide – a beacon of hope and an example of what we could do if we (teachers, students and community) were to join together in working towards the same goal. One feature that distinguishes the Venezuelans is that they are intentional about not just teaching music, but also changing the life trajectory of their youth through ensemble playing- and they succeed! Doing music for social change is impressive enough, but what blows people’s minds about this program is the quality of musicianship. Those children, some in small villages lacking the latest in music education technology, perform in a way that makes your hair stand on end. These kids can PLAY!

Three years ago, the founder of El Sistema, Jose Abreu won a TED grant. His wish to change the world was to create and document a special training program for gifted musicians that were passionate about both their art and social justice. The program, housed at New England Conservatory, cultivates these musicians into leaders of the El Sistema movement here in the United States. They are exposed to pedagogy, non-profit management and the magic behind El Sistema. There are only ten Fellows selected each year and I am very fortunate to have been chosen.

This fellowship is more than a dream come true – it is my destiny. From singing like little Tina Turner in that first rehearsal, to directing my first choir, then student teaching, volunteering with area choruses and teaching full time – everything I have ever done in my life has prepared me for this moment.

And on that note, my friend, consider us formally introduced. My name is Aisha. I love music, children and the two combined. I believe music ensembles allow us to create something greater than ourselves and I’m here to promote that cause. I believe I will have once in a lifetime experiences this year, and I would love for you to enjoy those moments with me. With that said – don’t be a stranger 🙂